Lawyers: Bundy intended occupation to end up in civil court

PORTLAND, Ore. – Newly-filed court documents say Ammon Bundy intended the takeover of an Oregon wildlife refuge to lead to a civil court taking up the constitutionality of federal land management policy.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (http://goo.gl/e5O0wO ) documents filed Monday show the 40-year-old leader of the occupation didn't expect arrests and indictments. Instead, documents say Bundy thought the government would issue a refuge eviction claim.

Documents say Bundy is now asking for the indictments to be dismissed, arguing the federal government lacks jurisdiction over the sanctuary in eastern Oregon.

Bundy is one of more than two dozen people facing federal indictment after a 41-day armed protest at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. During the occupation that started Jan. 2, they demanded the government turn over the land to locals and release two ranchers imprisoned for setting fires.